Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey says this weekend will be an historic occasion for Rugby in Australia.

Ms Stuckey said thousands of fans will descend on Skilled Park to see the Qantas Wallabies play on the Gold Coast for the first time.

“This is an exciting moment on the major event calendar for the Gold Coast which will also see the first appearance of Argentina on Australian soil since 2003,” Ms Stuckey said.

“Major events have a proven track record of delivering significant economic benefits for the host region and return on tax payer investment.

“That’s why in this year’s State Budget events funding has been increased to $49.6 million in 2012-13.”

Ms Stuckey said the Gold Coast will become the 11th Australian city to have hosted a Test match in Australia and the eighth home Test venue for the Qantas Wallabies.

“Up until this year, Australia’s home Test matches had been the exclusive domain of our nation’s six largest cities, so is a major coup for the Gold Coast to host this match,” she said.

“It reinforces Queensland’s reputation as a major event destination.”

The Castrol EDGE Rugby Championship Gold Coast Test is part of a ten year agreement between Australian Rugby Union, Events Queensland, AEG Ogden and Stadiums Queensland to bring more Tests to Queensland.